June 25 Monday – Joe Twichell notified Sam as the Clemenses were preparing to leave for Quarry Farm that “the Corporation of the Yale University, now in session, have just decreed you the honorary degree of Master of Arts (M.A.)” [MTNJ 3: 299].

Soon after, the Clemens family left Hartford for New York and Elmira. Livy’s tenuous health and slow recovery from diphtheria and quinsy (tonsillitis) would have likely meant no more than an over night stay or two in New York.

Chatto & Windus wrote to Sam about a “mistake” of being billed by Webster & Co. for plates on the Library of Humor supplied to Dawson & Co. in Montreal. Sam wrote “Hellfire!” on the envelope [MTP].